Boat Sinks Fast Family Escapes | Gainesville News

Gainesville News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 22, 2026 · 1m

A family’s boat sank suddenly in Florida’s Gulf, triggered by waves and boat wakes—leaving them stranded in the water. The 12-year-old blind daughter, already wearing her life jacket, was the only one prepared. Parents scrambled for theirs as the boat went under, and Maranda Fulton managed a 911 call—though she couldn’t hear the dispatcher due to waterlogged phone. Her mom flagged down passing boats, one missed them, but a second came to the rescue. All were pulled to safety. Fulton, thinking of her young son back home, credited the rescuers and stressed: always wear a life jacket—getting one…